That’s a surprise. Not.
Just like everywhere else in every industry in the US and Canada, there appears to be a shortage of workers. This means that fewer people are also being asked to do more.
According to Oregon’s Department of Transportation (ODOT), a shortage of licensed drivers for snowplows will impact the State’s ability to keep the roads and highways clear for trucks and cars.
Right now, the agency said that there are almost 40 vacancies for both seasonal and permanent snowplow drivers. Oh, Mr. Plow, if we ever needed your help…
Rich Lani, one of the Oregon Department of Transportation's regional district managers explained that “We’re trying to be creative with shifts and we have some days where we don’t have coverage in the early hours of the morning.”
The shortage of drivers is not just a lack of people not wanting to be snowplow operators. New federal laws regarding licensing are also to blame—as it now takes longer to obtain a commercial driver’s license.
Perhaps another reason is that with seasonal work, many drivers leave the job—and seeking more permanent work don’t come back after their initial six-month contract.
Said Laini about snowplow drivers and their commercial driver’s license: “They’re highly employable now. They have this Class A CDL in their pocket and a lot of private industry will lure them away, pay them more money, and offer year-round employment.”
The ODOT has stated it would pay the costs for drivers to obtain their licenses.
Perhaps the State of Oregon would also consider hiring more full-time drivers, rather than just seasonal, as a solution.
Surely not all of the federal infrastructure money has already been earmarked.
Service Truck Magazine is positive that Oregon is not the only State suffering a driver shortage, but is the only one that informs us regularly. Other state Department of Transportation's—contact the editor, please.
For the record, Mr. Plow was a Homer Simpson persona on the animated television show, The Simpsons.